Convertible furniture structure



Oct. 8, 1940. W. ZAREKO l 2,217,426

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE STRUCTURE Filed June 27, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet l a-so oct. 8, i940. W. ZAREKO 2,211,426

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE S TRUCTURE Filed June 27, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR /4/,4 l. TER ZA ,QE/ro BY i ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1940. w. ZAREKO CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE STRUCTURE 4 sheets-sheet 3 Filed June 27, 1938 o. K n WA m WZ m -R M E l Mm W .Q0 .m..VLL

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Oct. 8, 1940. W. ZAREKO CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE STRUCTURE Filed June 27, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 n( N E/ro.

INVENTOR M4 rse Z4@ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT ifiiiCl 12 Claims.

The present invention relates to convertible furniture structures preferably of chair type adapted to be converted into a bed or couch. Also the invention preferably relates to that type of massive easyv chair frequently known as a clu ch.a; that is, one which is upholstered and has a cushioned? seat, a cushioned back" and upright members at the sides of the chair and extending upwardly above the' seat so as to provide arms.

An object-of the invention is to provide a seat for a chair or other article of furniture having side members laterally of the seat which are movable and adjustable so that the side members can be extended horizontally from the opposite sides ofthe seat to provide a couch or bed. If the article of furniture is of chair type itv would have a back, and an object of the invention is to provide for various adjustments of the back and enable the back to be reversed from` its position upwardly of the seat to a position extending downwardly'back of the seat'.

These being among the objects' ofthe present invention the same consists of certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and then claimed with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofl a chair in full lines and in broken lines showing the side members of the chair extended horizontally and showing a drawer as pulled out part of its length in broken lines;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the furniture structure extended horizontally and the chair back thrown rearwardly, parts being in' section and portions of three cushions being illustrated, Fig. 1 being more or less conventional and notl illustrating such cushions, the drawer being shown pulled out in broken lines;

Fig. 3 isan enlargement in vertical longitudinal section on line 3 3, Fig. 2, parts being broken away and' parts in broken lines, one side section er member being shown as pulled out away from the base in full lines and showing another posi-v tion parallel in broken lines and left and right portions of the drawer respectively pushed home and pulled out;

Fig. 4 is a fragment of Fig. 3 showing a side menrber pushed up against the base in a vertical position in full lines and showing a previous vertical position in broken lines;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view on line 5-5, Fig. 11, to show the preferred means for locking a side member in position' vertically;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 6 6, Fig. 2, to illustrate details of the locking mechanism for a` side member and of the means for adjusting the back of the chair to its reversed position;

Fig 'l is a broken side elevation showing the 5 means for adjusting the back of a chair, the said back being shown in full lines as shifted rearwardly and in broken lines showing the back in a reclining position;

Fig, 8 is a side view showing the same back adl0 justing means, the back being shown in full lines in its foremost position ove'r'the seat and in broken lines showing the back as having been reversed; v n

Fig. 9 is a broken detail view showing portions 15 of the back adjusting means;

Fig4 l0 is a still further enlarged transverse section showing the locking means in Fig. 6` and parts being broken away;

Fig. 11 is a sectional planen the line II-I I, 20 Fig. l0, parts of the structure being broken away at intermediate points, to allow for enlargement; and 1 Fig'. l2 is a perspective view` of a preferred cushion for each of the side members.

Referring more particularly to Figs.' 1 and 2, the preferabiy nwooden base or main section I5 of the furniture structure is preferably longer in a direction from front to back than 'from side to side. The base I5 is constructed with a front 30 wall IG, a back wall il `and side walls i8, I9. As shown in Figs. 2,' 6 and 1`0 there is rigidly secured in the upper portion of the base a rectangular metallic frame including side bars 20 and endb-ars 2l, preferably of angle metal, the meeting 35 corners thereof being rigidly connected together.

A suitable metallic fabric, portions 2'2 of whichv are shown inFig. 2, is stretched between and connects the bars 2l, such fabric constituting a support for a cushion or an inner spring mattress 40 section, and the said fabric covers practically the entire interior upper area rof the base I5. At opposite lateral sides of the base, that is adjacent to the side walls I8, I9, are two side members or sections 23, 24, preferably of box-like type, and 45. these sections are auxiliary to the base so as to preferably extend above thesarne at opposite sides to provide arms 25, as shown in Fig. l, which extend above thebase. When the side members are upright their hollow interiors face the base and they may be upholstered and finished in any desirable manner.

Base I5 is provided-With a supporting board 26 Ior the like which is secured to the-bottom of the base and extended at opposite sides thereof to lso provide horizontal ledges or platforms 21, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. The outer corners of the ledges or platforms 21 are provided with feet 28 to raise the ledges and member 21 so that the member 21 does not rest flat upon the floor.

In Fig. 1 the side members 23, 24 are shown as resting upon the ledges 21.

Side members or sections 23, 24 are movable relatively to the base and are connected with the base by suitable mechanism to provide for their movements. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 10 a pair of elongated members 29 extend from pivots 39 respectively along and parallel with the adjacent sides of the side member 23 and into the upper part of the base I so as to be close to the front and back walls I6, I1 thereof. A corresponding pair of members 3| extends from pivots 32 at opposite sides of the side member 24't'o points within the upperv part of the base I5,and these members are parallel with the links 29 and their ends overlap the ends of members 29.

Links 29 and 3| are provided with means for guiding them along parallel lines so that they may be pushed inwardly toward each other or pulled outwardly, to which end guide pins 33, 34, 35 are provided which pass through slots in the members. Said guide pins project inwardly from the front wall I6 and the rear wall I1 of the base, the pins 33 guiding only the members 29 and the pins 35 guidingfonly the members 3|, while the pins 34 mutually guide the overlapping ends of members 29 and 3|. Said members provid-e adjustable supports for the side members or sections 23, 24 upon which the same are pivoted by means of the pivots 30, 32.

Suitable metal fabric 36 or the like connects metal bars 31 within the opposite sides of the side member 23, and they are connect-ed by means of bars 31a so as to constitute a rectangular frame preferably of angle metal, shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Similar fabric 38 is supported within the other side member 24 by means of a rectangular frame composed preferably of angle metal bars 39 and 39a. Hence the said members 23, 24 will be provided with cushion or mattress supporting fabrics 36, 38 to correspond with the fabric 22 in the base I5 which is located between them.

It should vbe noted that inasmuch as the construction of each side member or section 23, 24 corresponds and the parts of the mechanism within them correspond, the drawings do not completely show the corresponding features, for it will be understood that where the features of one side member are shown, there are similar features which are not shown in connection with the other side member. I

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a cushion 40 for the base I5 is shown, the same resting upon the supporting fabric 22 of the base, such cushion constituting a seat, filling in the space between the upright portions 25 of the side members. Thereare alsocushions 4|, 42 which rest upon the supporting fabrics 36, 38 of the side members and are conned within the walls of said box-like members. For the sake of more graphic illustration and simplicity, the cushions 4|, 42`

are not shown in Fig. 1. Each cushion 4|, 42 is provided adjacent one edge with lateral bulges 43 as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 12. 'I'hese bulges 43 are for the purpose of cooperating with vertical inward ribs 44 on the opposite sides of the side members, for the purpose of holding the cushions in place and so that they cannot shift downwardly or inwardly.

The side members 23,v 24may each be moved from their full line position shown in Fig. 1 to a horizontal position shown in broken lines and also shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Normally the side members 23, 24 rest upon the ledges 21 at opposite sides of the base, and to move them into horizontal position each is pulled outwardly to the extent indicated in broken lines in Fig. 3 and then each is swung to `the horizontal position shown to the right in Fig. 3. Then each side member is pushed horizontally towards the base so as to locate each of them similarly to the side member 23 shown at the left of Fig. 3. That is, both of them are pushed towards the base horizontally until they are in the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 2. To move the side members back to their vertical position close to the seat, the operation is reversed.

Suitable means are provided for locking the side members in their upright position and also in their khorizontal position to form a bed or couch, wherein thercushions 40, 4I and 42 or the like will be in horizontal alignment. To that end it is preferred to make use of a slidable drawer 45 which works through a front opening 46 in the basefor the purpose of actuating the locking mechanism. When the drawer is pushed in, the front wall or closure member will close the front opening 46, as shown in Fig. 1. A drawer is preferred as it can contain various articles in the base of the furniture structure. In Figs. 6,10 and 11 there is shown a pair of latches 41, 48 located adjacent'the side member 24 and for the other side member 23 there will be a similar 'pair of latches, one of such latches 49 being shown in Fig. 3 opposite to the corresponding latch 41 for section24. These latches extend through openings in the side walls I8, I9 of the base I5. f

Referring to Figs; 3 4, 5 and 11 a pair of socket members 5|) is counter-sunk in the opposite side walls of the side lmember 24 to receive the latches 41 when the said side member stands upright. Each socket member 5 0 is provided with -an inwardly deflected shoulder or lip 5| which is adapted to be engaged bythe beak of each latch. A similar pair of socket members 52 is counter-sunk in the bottom wall of said member 24 so as to cooperate with the latches 41 when said member is in horizontal position, each of the same having a latch engaging lip or shoulder 53. It will be understood that a pair of similar sockets 52 is to be employed, although only one is illustrated. It will furthermore be understood that the other side member 23 will have socket-members similar to and disposed similarly to the socket members and 52.

The mechanism for operating the latches is shown more fully in Figs. 6, 10 and 11. A suitably formed spring 54 of spring steel is provided at one side of the base, the same being secured at its mid-length to an angle bar .55 and the ends thereof being free to exert their spring action. Angle bar 55 is secured by fastenings 56 to the wall I9 adjacent the side member 24, there being a similar' angle bar 55a at vthe opposite side of the base and these angle bars 55, 55a constitute supports for the rails or bars 2| within the base I5. Another' leaf spring 51 is secured in'a 'similar way to the angle bar 55a for cooperation with the side member 23, the same being shown in Fig. 2, vsothat the base carries a pair of such leaf springs 54, 51.

As a part of the locking 'means there is prolatches.

" adjacent spring keeps the member is another pressure receiving member 6|. These members 58, 6| extendparallel with the side walls of the base and the free ends of the springs '4, 51 bear upon the ends of said members 58 and El tending to keep them pressed downwardly and to press the operative ends of the latches up- Wardly.

The side walls of the sliding drawer 45 have longitudinal top recesses 52 which are preferably concave in contour so as to conform to theconvexity of the preferred bowing of the members 53 and 5I. When the drawer is pushed in, the members 58, 6i fit into the said recesses 62. Also when the drawer is pushed home 'either the springs 54, 51 or the release elements 63' projecting upwardly one at each side of the drawer, hold the latches in their locking position.

Each release element B3 is in the form of a hook having an end turned outwardly from the drawer, and it is adapted to cooperate with 'a cam portion 64 lateral of each pressure receiving member to release the element 53 from each pressure receiving member or to engage it therewith. It will be clear from Figs. 6, vand 11 that when the drawer is pushed inwardly so that the element 63 is in engagement with the pressure receiving member I53' illustrated, that the'raised portion 62a at the inner end of the drawer, and provided by forming the recess 62, is located at the remote end of the pressure receiving member 53'. When the drawer is pulled out, preferably about onehalf way, to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 6' and also in Fig'. 10, the release element 63 will have been guided'along the surface of the cam portion 64 until the hump or raised portion 62a comes opposite to the middle portion of the pressure receiving member 58. 'Ihis movement of the drawer will' cause the raised portion 62a to bear upwardly upon the pressure receiving member 58 and move the latches to a disengaged position. When the drawer is pushed in from this position to its innermost position, the latches will again become locked in the sockets provided for them.

It will be seen that when similar locking mechanism is provided at opposite sides of the base l5, that when the side members are upright in innermost position they can be locked by the For example, the latches 41, 48 for the side member 24 will be engaged in the socketmembers 50. When it is desired to convert the furniture structure into a bed or couch, the drawer 45 is pulled out half way and the latches released from the sockets 59 of side member 24 and a similar operation taking place with respect to the latches of the other side member 23 not so completely illustrated. After the release element 93 passes off from the cam portion 54 the 5B pressed down against the drawer until it is again engaged with cam B4. When the drawer has been pulled half way out, the side members 23, 24 are each moved to horizontal position, so as to be'spaced from the base similarly to the side member 24 shown in full lines in Fig; 3. The operative'. ends of the. latches will: be intheir depressed. position, and when the side members are pushed up close to the base, the latches 41, 48, 49 will be entered into the sockets '52'. As they drawerk is being pushed home, the elements 63 will ride up onto the membersr 58', 6l and operate the latches, to positively lock the side members to the base in their ultimate horizontal position.

In order to tend tof draw the' side members 23, 24 upto their normal vertical position` or hori- Zontal position, long elastic members" 65, 66l may be employed in the form of helical tension springs which extend just within the corresponding walls of the baseand the side members andthe ends of which are attached toV hooks 61= fixed inthe front and rear walls of the side' members.

In the event that the. locking means for. the side'members is not strong enough to properly support them in their extended horizontal position as shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 and,v in full lines in Fig. 3, they may respectively be provided with braces 68, 69 pivoted thereto. Such braces extend downwardly in inclined position and their lower ends are brought into engagement. with the ledges or platforms 21, thereby sustaining the outer ends of the side members. When the side members are brought tov their vertical position,the braces will move flat against the outer sides of the side members.

When it is desired to provide a furniture structure of chair type, a back 10 is provided, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6 to 9 inclusive. Such back is preferably provided with means for variably adjusting it, to which end arms 1l are mounted f. These arms are proon each side of the back. vided with enlargements 12 consisting of flat plates or the like, and thev rear wall of the base l5 supports a pair of brackets 13 at its upper er1-d, said brackets and the enlargements 12 receiving pivots 14 whereby the back is pivotally mounted upon the base. Each arm 1I is provided at its outer end with a headed stud 15, as shown in Fig. 9, and these'studs are adapted to be guided in channel members 1S counter-sunk in opposite sides of the back and extending transversely thereof, Each enlargement 12 of each arm is provided with a series of holes 11 arranged concentrically with the corresponding pivot 1|l.v

These holes 11 are adapted' to receive the'operative ends of locking elements 13, shown more fully in Fig. 9.

The means for adjusting the back 10 operates as follows: The normal position of the back is preferred to be as shown in Fig. 8 when it is located to extend upwardly above the base, the back having been pulled forward over the base so as to position each of the studs in the rear ends of the guides 16. Probably the back 1li would then rest upon the cushion of the base, which is not shown in Fig. 8. In the position shown each locking element 18 will be engaged in corresponding holes`11 by adjusting the locking elements so as to obtain that object. If desired the backl may be inclined somewhat from the position shown. From the position shown in Fig. 8- the back 10 may now be completely inverted by releasing the locking elements 1B and moving the back to the rear ofthe base, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 8 and in full lines in Figs. 2 and 6.

Preferably the back 1l! is provided with a compartment 19A which is adapted topontain various articles which may be desired andV which is accessible when the back is in inverse position lso through sliding closures 80, 8l, which are guided in the corresponding Vwall of the back, which when the back is inverted faces upwardly.

Referring to Fig. 7, the arms 1l have been set by the locking elementsV 'I8 to such position that the studs 15 will be in the forward ends of the guides 76. 'Ihis results in increasing the area of the seat of the chair. From this position shown in full lines, the back may be adjusted to an inclined position shown'in broken lines by first disengaging the locking elements from the arms H and setting them into other holes of the series of holes TI. i

Hence it will be seen that the back 'lll not only may be adjusted while extending upwardly to an extreme forward or to aneXtreme rearward position, but it is possible to adjust the back to a number of inclinations intermediate of its upward positionand its inverted position. 'Ihe back maybe cushioned and upholstered in any suitable manner.

It will be obvious from the drawings and description that the invention shown and described is susceptible to more or less modification without departing from the spirit thereof and the scope of the appended claims.

r 1 What I claim as new is:

1. A furniture structure, including the combination'of a base, side members adapted to be moved to upright position at the sides of the base and to horizontal position substantially in alignment with the top of the base, means for separately connecting the side members with the base for such movements, the side members arranged outside of the base vand portions of the side members projecting above and below the top of the base, latches pivoted in the side walls of the base for respectively locking the side members. in Vertical and in` horizontal position and manually operable means mounted on the base for actuating the latches for obtaining either position of the side'members. 2. A furniture structure, including a base` provided with a drawer, a side member swingably connected with the base, and means for locking the side member in two different positions, such means operable by a movement of the drawer. 3. A furniture structure, including a base pro- -vided kwith a drawer, a side member swingably connected with the base to move to a vertical or to horizontal position, the member when Vertical extending above and below the top of base, and means for locking the side member in its two different positions, such means operable by a movement of the drawer.

4. A furniture structure, including a base, side members movable to upright position at and alongside the sides of the base and to horizontal position substantially in alignment with the top of the base, spring actuated locking means on the base comprising latches at opposite sides of the base to secure the members in such upright position, securing elements located on the adjacent sides of the upright side members for engagement by the latches, and actuating means on the base operable at Will to unlock such locking means.

5. A furniture structure, including a base, side members movable to upright position at the sides of the base and to horizontal position substantially in alignment with the top of the base, spring actuated locking means on the base to secure. the members in such upright position, the base having an opening for a compartment therein,y and a closure for the said opening adapted by'movement thereof to act to unlock the locking means. i

`6. A furniture structure, including a base, side members movable to upright position at the sides of the base and to horizontal position substantially in alignment with the top of the base, spring actuated locking means on the base to secure the members in such upright position, and a drawer slidable into the base and provided with means acting to unlock the locking means when the drawer is slid outwardly.

7'. A furniture structure, including a base, side members movable t'o upright position at and alongside the sides of the base and to horizontal position substantially inr alignment with the top of the base, spring actuated locking means on the base comprising latches at opposite sides of the base to secure the members in such horizontal position, securing elements located on the inner ends of the horizontal side members for engagement by the latches, and actuating means on the base operable at will to unlock such locking means. f

8'. A furniture structure, including a base, movable side members therefor having portions extending above and downwardly below the top of the base, means connecting the members with the base to render them-movable into a horizontal position in substantial alignment with the top of the base, a movable latch on the base adjacent to each side member, latch receiving sockets on each side member and having retaining lips, the lips extending at substantially right angles to each other, the latch engaging with one or the other lip depending upon whether the side member isupright or horizontal, and means to actuate each-latch.

9*. A furniture structure, including a base, a member auxiliary to the base and having a shoulder element, a. latch mounted on the base to engage the said shoulder and secure the auxiliary member to the base, a slide inthe base, and

a pressure` receiving member for acting on the latch, the slide provided with means to engage the said pressure member. 'in one direction to latch the member to the base and with separate means to engage the pressure member in opposite direction to release the latch. Y IOMA furniture structure, including a base, a member auxiliary to the base and having a shoulder element, a latch mounted on the base to engage the said shoulder and secure the auxiliary member tothe base, a drawer slidable in the base, and a pressure receiving member for acting on the latch, the drawer provided with means to engage the said pressure member in one direction to latch the member to the base and with separate means to engage the pressure member in opposite direction to release the latch.

11-. A furniture structure, including a base having bottom ledges constituting supports for the base extending laterally therefrom, members resting upon and extending upwardly from the ledges and'forming sides for the base, and means for adjusting the side members into an upright position spaced away from the base and for enabling them to be slid, while in such position, along said ledges and up to the base to form its sides.

121. A furniture structure, including the combination of a base, side members adapted to be moved to upright position at the sides of the base and to be moved to horizontal position up to said sides, in substantial alignment with the top of the base, the side members arranged outside the base with portions projecting above and below the top of the base when upright, elongated members independently longitudinally slidable in the base and projecting beyond such sides in each of said positions of the side members, means within the base for supporting and guiding the slidable members inwardly and outwardly in a substantially horizontal plane, such slidable members separately connecting the side members with 10 the base and on which the side members are pivotally mounted, the slidable members permitting said movements of the side members when the slidable members are slid outwardly to project them still further from the sides of the base than when the side members are in aforesaid positions, and manually operable locking means for separately locking the side members in each position.

WALTER ZAREKO. 

